Computed Tomographic Anatomy of the Abdominal Cavity in the Jebeer (Gazella Bennettii)

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging technique with gives us an opportunity to review cross sections of the body in live animals. In veterinary medicine although CT is mostly used for diagnostic purposes in small animals, but in recent years CT also has been used as a non invasive modality in non clinical studies. Jebeer Gazelle (Gazella bennettii) is one of the species of the genus Gazella which lives mostly in the south east of Iran and very little anatomic studies are available on it. The aim of this study was preparing detailed anatomic images of the abdominal cavity of the Jebeer as an endangered species using the non invasive CT technique. Methods: Spiral CT images were acquired from the abdominal region of four healthy Jebeer, perpendicular to long axis of the body. CT windows were adjusted as necessary to have optimized images of the abdominal organs. The images were studied serially and compared anatomically with two dissected goats. Results: Liver, spleen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum, rumen, right and left kidneys, transverse colon, ascending colon, descending colon, cecum, pancreas, duodenum, uterine horns, urinary bladder and jejunum were distinguished and addressed according to the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae as landmarks. Conclusion: According to the present study, we identified the abdominal organs, their precise position and related structures in the Jebeer without any invasive procedure. This is the first study which is addressing abdominal organs of a wild ruminant by using CT modality.